Groups from the political left and right are joining forces to reform a piece of law that they say violates people’s rights but flies under the radar. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more.
Civil forfeiture is when the government seizes someone’s property. But in Ohio this can happen without even needing to file criminal charges.
Groups like the conservative-leaning Buckeye Institute, the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP have joined a coalition called “Fix Forfeiture” to change this practice.
The Buckeye Institute’s Robert Alt says an individual should be prosecuted before the government can take away their belongings.
“We should not be applying a standard which treats someone as guilty with regard to their property without forcing the government to provide substantial proof, to meet more rigorous burden,” said Alt.
An Ohio lawmaker plans to introduce a bill this week requiring a conviction before the government can take anything.